The Silver Screen Oasis

These may be incredibly silly and naive questions, so I apologize in advance. But hey, everyone has to start somewhere!

Ever since seeing Journey's End (1930), I have been hoping to see a restored version of it. Personally, I think it's a very important film for many reasons, and the only available prints I have seen are very low quality. The film has even been remade a few times, so it is quite sad that the original has been largely forgotten.

I've come to realize that I know practically nothing about how films get restored, how the process starts, what the requirements are, how much it costs, who can do it, etc. So I thought I'd ask some of my questions here, as many people here seem to be very knowledgeable about film in general.

1. If someone wanted to get a film restored, where would they even start? Does such a decision need to begin with someone already in the industry?
2. What is the process like?
3. What is required for a film to be restored? I believe the original negatives for Journey's End have been destroyed. Does that mean it is impossible to restore it?
4. How much does this kind of thing cost, in general?

Thanks for your time, everyone!

norfious wrote: ↑April 13th, 2023, 3:33 pm These may be incredibly silly and naive questions, so I apologize in advance. But hey, everyone has to start somewhere! . . .

. . . and a good place to start is Google (or some other Web search engine).

Yeah, I am sure some of these questions could be answered by Googling. Apologies. I have been quite scattered today.

norfious wrote: ↑April 13th, 2023, 3:33 pm . . .
1. If someone wanted to get a film restored, where would they even start? Does such a decision need to begin with someone already in the industry?

How to Nominate Films for Preservation

norfious wrote: ↑April 13th, 2023, 3:33 pm 2. What is the process like?

Film Preservation

Digital Restoration Steps

How Film Restoration Works

35mm Film Restoration Process Explained

norfious wrote: ↑April 13th, 2023, 3:33 pm 3. What is required for a film to be restored? I believe the original negatives for Journey's End have been destroyed. Does that mean it is impossible to restore it?

Understanding Film Restoration

norfious wrote: ↑April 13th, 2023, 3:33 pm 4. How much does this kind of thing cost, in general?

The Cost of Film Restoration

“It’s Not Slowing Down”: Streaming Fuels Demand for Film and TV Restoration

How do you know all this stuff, EP? Well, you do so there you go. All the links you give, the technical advice to the untechnical is very giving and very kind. Thank you.

Thompson wrote: ↑April 14th, 2023, 12:10 am How do you know all this stuff, EP? . . .

I don't. But, I know how to use Internet search engines.

That's why God created Google.

I thought Google created God.

Thompson wrote: ↑April 14th, 2023, 12:31 am I thought Google created God.

Google has a lot to answer for.

We could use a “funny” button here. The “like” button is great and I think it moves the discussions along, but a lot of posters, including myself, are trying for funny. There are plenty posts and posters that are REALLY funny and it would be nice to be able to acknowledge them.

I took a look at the list of Films Not Yet Named to the [National Film] Registry and looked at films released in 1930. I did not see Journey's End on the list. So you might want to nominate it as a "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" film, norfious.

National Film Registry Nomination Form

Awesome, thanks! I will be sure to do that. Thanks for linking all the resources, too.